Last update: Oct 2026 Nicaragua 14.7K

Cost of Living in San Juan del Sur

For one person, living costs in San Juan del Sur are estimated at $1,058 a month, including rent and utilities, which take more than a third of the total. Other living expenses average about $20 a day.

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San Juan del Sur

🇳🇮 Nicaragua

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in San Juan del Sur

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in San Juan del Sur actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends around $1,058 per month with rent, or $604 for everyday expenses alone.

$1,058 /mo

A couple spends around $1,682 per month with rent, or $1,026 for everyday expenses alone.

$1,682 /mo

A family of three spends around $2,307 per month with rent, or $1,449 without housing.

$2,307 /mo

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.17 NIO 153

$3.24 NIO 119

$14.84 NIO 544

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$34.08 NIO 1,248

$25.31 NIO 927

$81.0 NIO 2,967

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.57 NIO 204

$8.93 NIO 327

Cappuccino

$2.56 NIO 93.7

$1.08 NIO 39.63

$4.01 NIO 147

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.86 NIO 31.37

$0.55 NIO 20.32

$1.32 NIO 48.49

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.68 NIO 25.02

$0.53 NIO 19.30

$0.78 NIO 28.59

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.47 NIO 53.8

$1.17 NIO 43.03

$3.85 NIO 141

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.23 NIO 81.8

$1.99 NIO 72.7

$3.97 NIO 145

Milk (1 liter)

$1.24 NIO 45.36

$1.02 NIO 37.18

$1.43 NIO 52.4

White Bread (500g)

$1.53 NIO 55.9

$2.49 NIO 91.3

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.19 NIO 43.56

$1.88 NIO 69.0

Eggs

$2.44 NIO 89.2

$1.71 NIO 62.5

$4.11 NIO 151

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.71 NIO 283

$4.42 NIO 162

$13.39 NIO 490

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.15 NIO 225

$4.28 NIO 157

$6.53 NIO 239

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.84 NIO 287

$7.22 NIO 265

$10.91 NIO 400

Apples (1kg)

$4.10 NIO 150

$3.45 NIO 126

$5.67 NIO 208

Banana (1kg)

$0.62 NIO 22.71

$0.57 NIO 20.81

$2.27 NIO 83.3

Oranges (1kg)

$1.84 NIO 67.3

$1.53 NIO 56.1

$3.06 NIO 112

Tomato (1kg)

$2.45 NIO 89.9

$2.01 NIO 73.8

$3.38 NIO 124

Potato (1kg)

$3.11 NIO 114

$2.14 NIO 78.4

$4.08 NIO 150

Onion (1kg)

$2.18 NIO 79.9

$2.07 NIO 76.0

$2.95 NIO 108

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.05 NIO 38.54

$0.70 NIO 25.57

$1.63 NIO 59.8

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.05 NIO 38.52

$0.89 NIO 32.54

$1.53 NIO 56.1

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.76 NIO 101

$2.69 NIO 98.5

$3.73 NIO 137

Wine (Bottle)

$9.76 NIO 357

$9.66 NIO 354

$14.57 NIO 534

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.42 NIO 51.9

$1.13 NIO 41.53

$1.66 NIO 60.9

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.18 NIO 79.7

$1.70 NIO 62.1

$2.33 NIO 85.5

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.58 NIO 58.0

$1.32 NIO 48.39

$2.43 NIO 89.0

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.64 NIO 60.3

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.87 NIO 252

$5.52 NIO 202

$10.10 NIO 370

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.34 NIO 49.13

$1.32 NIO 48.40

$1.35 NIO 49.50

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$22.8K NIO 836.8K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.7K NIO 977.1K

$27.0K NIO 989.9K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$60.8 NIO 2,225

$253 NIO 9,273

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$10.32 NIO 378

$5.90 NIO 216

$24.00 NIO 879

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$33.01 NIO 1,209

$30.36 NIO 1,112

$48.28 NIO 1,768

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$30.51 NIO 1,118

Cinema Ticket

$9.23 NIO 338

$6.76 NIO 248

$13.33 NIO 488

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$233 NIO 8,530

$119 NIO 4,341

$395 NIO 14.5K

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,128 NIO 224.4K

$4,247 NIO 155.6K

$15.2K NIO 555.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$61.1 NIO 2,237

$30.59 NIO 1,121

$91.8 NIO 3,362

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$66.1 NIO 2,421

$40.51 NIO 1,483

$122 NIO 4,469

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$123 NIO 4,500

$80.2 NIO 2,936

$150 NIO 5,504

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$146 NIO 5,331

$55.3 NIO 2,025

$166 NIO 6,074

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$423 NIO 15.5K

$373 NIO 13.7K

$498 NIO 18.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$393 NIO 14.4K

$152 NIO 5,574

$634 NIO 23.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$930 NIO 34.1K

$653 NIO 23.9K

$1,206 NIO 44.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$797 NIO 29.2K

$356 NIO 13.0K

$1,018 NIO 37.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$346 NIO 12.7K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.92

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

San Juan del Sur $1,058

Accommodation & Living

$393 37.2%

Groceries & Markets

$225 21.3%

Clothing & Footwear

$178 16.8%

Monthly Utilities & Internet

$104 9.8%

Eating Out

$99 9.3%

Sport & Entertainment

$49 4.6%

Getting Around

$9.8 * 0.9%

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $423, dropping to $393 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 122% of the average salary ($346) – well above the 30% international benchmark.

The average net salary is $346 – below monthly costs of $1,058. Most locals rely on shared housing or dual incomes. Remote workers earning abroad will find stronger purchasing power.

Groceries cost around $225 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $34.00.

Cost Highlights

Average monthly net salary is lower than 99% of cities in North America

Local beer is cheaper than 99% of cities in North America

Rice is cheaper than 99% of cities in North America

Good to know

🕒 Local time

05:22 5:22 AM

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

14,741

💱 Currency

Nicaraguan Córdoba NIO C$

📈 Exchange rate

100 NIO = 2.73 USD

100 NIO = 2.43 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

On the map

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San Juan del Sur

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San Juan del Sur Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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Cost of Living in San Juan del Sur - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in San Juan del Sur offers a balanced mix of value and choice. Local markets and casual eateries let you stretch a budget without sacrificing flavor, while mid-range apartments near the beach or in hillside streets provide comfortable options for longer stays. Utilities and internet tend to be reasonable for a tourist-friendly town, though prices can shift with the season. For longer stays, negotiating rent and choosing longer leases can noticeably reduce monthly costs. A practical plan is to blend self-catering with inexpensive meals and pick a neighborhood that fits your pace and access needs. Tip: Start with a two- or three-week trial in one area to compare neighborhoods before signing a longer rental.

For a typical day, you combine practical errands with productive work time. When searching for housing, start with local listings online, then wander the central beachfront and hillside lanes to assess noise, light, and access. Food options run from budget mercados and pupuserias to midrange cafes with international dishes. Groceries come from mercados and small supermarkets; buy seasonal produce to keep costs steady. Getting around is straightforward on foot for short hops; tuk-tuks and scooter rentals handle longer coastal trips. There are coworking spaces and cafes with reliable Wi‑Fi for work calls. For a sense of San Juan del Sur living cost, observe price ranges across markets and eateries. Tip: set a weekly budget by category and track it.

Quality of life in San Juan del Sur comes from a relaxed pace, access to beaches and outdoor markets, and a growing community of travelers and remote workers. A practical budgeting framework helps you stay flexible: divide your month into housing, food, transport, and leisure, then adjust each category as the season shifts. Save by cooking with fresh, local produce, shopping at mercados, and choosing longer-term rentals with utilities included. Seasonal changes bring busier streets and fuller queues, especially in peak season, so plan around popular weekends and holidays. Neighborhood fit matters: beachfront zones are lively, while hillside lanes offer quieter mornings and sunsets. Tip: set a monthly review date to swap in cheaper options when possible.

For 2026, a single person in San Juan del Sur should plan on about $1,058 per month with rent, or $604 without housing. That covers a moderate lifestyle – food, utilities, transport, and some leisure – at current local prices.

San Juan del Sur is mid-range – monthly costs with rent reach about $1,058. For most residents, that's a fair trade: urban amenities, services, and job access without major-hub prices.

After taxes, the average worker in San Juan del Sur takes home about $346 per month. Of course, that varies a lot by industry and experience – tech and finance pay well above this, while service jobs often fall below it.

Rent is one of the biggest advantages of living in San Juan del Sur – 1-bedroom apartments range from $393 to $423 per month, and even central neighborhoods stay accessible on modest incomes. Cheap housing frees up cash for everything else.

Expect to pay about $30.51 per month for a gym in San Juan del Sur – on par with the regional average. That typically gets you weights, cardio machines, and group classes. Boutique studios, yoga centers, and personal trainers charge extra.

Private kindergarten in San Juan del Sur costs about $233 per month – a big number for families. Prices vary by curriculum and whether you go local or international. Public options are cheaper where they exist, but waitlists can be long.

$2,000 is below the $1,058 average in San Juan del Sur, so it's tight but not impossible. You'll need to keep rent low – sharing an apartment, cooking at home, and sticking to public transport are the main levers.

San Juan del Sur is a top-tier retirement spot. A budget of $1,586 per month covers housing, healthcare, and daily expenses comfortably. The pace of life is relaxed, medical services are accessible, and the community is welcoming to older residents.

San Juan del Sur is neither cheap nor expensive – it sits comfortably in the middle. Monthly costs with rent run about $1,058, a figure most working professionals can handle without major financial stress.

San Juan del Sur is doable for backpackers, though it takes more planning than cheaper destinations. Monthly costs average $1,058, so daily spending is moderate. Hostels, local food, and public transport keep things in check, but attractions and nightlife can push costs up.